Costumed figure



June 30, 1936.

H. B. BRUNDAGE COSTUME-D FIGURE Filed Oct. 10

INVENTOR. #e/e/IB- fimmoa e ATTORNEY.

Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COSTUMED FIGURE 1 Helen B. Brundage, Tryon, 'N. 0.

Application October 10, 1935, Serial No. 44,376 8 Claims. (o1. 46-115) This invention relates to the art of figures, costumes and costumed figures. In its more specific aspect the invention is directed to toys havingan improved type of figure, an improved type of novel costume construction and to an-improved combination of the novel figure and costume to provide a novel manner of changing costume simulating pieces. Y j I a Heretofore in the arts of advertising and toys it has beenproposed to provide'a fiat wooden figure simulating a person in contour. Interchangeable costumes have been provided therefor and these costumes have elongated narrow straps at the shoulders and waists. --The costume may be mounted on the figure byplacing the costume thereonand the straps are bent over the shoulders and at the waist and the ends thereof are tied at their ends. The disadvantages inherent in this type "of structure are among others, the ,fiatness of the complete unit, but one side of the mounted element simulates a costume and the other side is unseemly because of the straps and in addition the straps are too readily torn by the children who play with the costumes. These, besides other obvious disadvantages are inherent in prior art structures. 7

It was in order toovercomethe disadvantages of prior art structures that I developed the following invention hereinafter described.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel figure" adapted to be combined with novel costumes simulating figures.

Another object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive and novel doll figurecombined with a novel type costume, which combination may be carried out by young children.

Another object of my invention is to provide a doll figure which may be inexpensively manufactured from cheap materials.

A still further object of my invention is to provide anovel type of costume simulations;

These and other objects of my invention will be readily apparent from the following description and appended drawing wherein,

Figure lrepresents a perspective view of a cos tumeddoll embodying my invention.

Figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of Figure 1 in the-direction of the arrows. Figure 3 represents a perspective view of adoll figure embodying my invention.

Figure 4 represents a cross sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1 in the/direction of the arrows. V Figure 5' represents a perspective view ofthe tubing which may be employed as an element of my invention. 7

As shown in the drawing my novel doll figure ,may be a fiat unit l0, whose upper part is in the shape of a head H with inwardly directed 5, arcuate cut-outs corresponding to the human neck line.- Projecting downwardly from the neck portion I2 is an elongated tapering body portion l3 terminating in a tip 14 of relatively smallcross sectional area as compared with theupper portion 10 of the spike l3.

In accordance with my invention I prefer that the figure [0 be of sufiicientrigidity thatit may be supported at the tip 14 and will remain in an upright position without bending over along its 15, length. Although the tip I4 need not be. reenforcedin all instances, in some casesI propose to cap the same with a thin metallic cap which will prevent scoring of the same. The figure It may be composed of rubber that is of proper 20 rigidity and also is sufiiciently flexible so that if a 'child carrying the samefalls thereon, he will not be pierced therewith. It also may be composed of bakelite, wood, heavy cardboard or any other type of material which may be punched out, 2 cast or saw cut. The front face of head H and neck l2'may be painted with appropriate colors to simulate the face and front of the neck and the opposite surface of the head and neck portions may also be painted to simulatethe back of the 30 head and neck. In addition that portion of the head and neck which defines the contour of the same may be appropriately painted. I prefer not to paint the major portion of the taper l3. Instead of painting the figure l0, where practical I 35 may print or lithograph the same orprinted or lithographed light paper may be securedthereto in order that the desired effect is obtained. In order. that'the figure ID may be maintained in an erect positionI provide a base l5 which may be 40 in they form of a .wheel having an opening 16 in which is inserted the tip M.

Another aspect of my invention is the costume simulations and the novel type ofsupporting means for a costume simulation. The costume 45 may comprise a pair-of elements I! and N3 of identical contour, with the element" bearing an appropriate design-thereon simulating the front of a dress; legs, hose and shoes, for'example, and the element I8 bearing an appropriate design 50 thereon simulating the back of a dress, legs, shoes and hose.

The contour of these two elements will simulate the front and back views respectively of a dress. The designs'may' be attained by printing, litho- 5 graphing, painting or in any other known manner. The plain faces of these elements l8 and I! are placed adjacent each other with the corners of the same coinciding with each other to form an apparently single unit. These elements are secured to each other in any known manner, as for example, by an adhesive such as glue, but care is taken to leave unsecured that portion of the elements along the longitudinal center of the elements so that an elongated opening or passage Way is provided for the insertion of the spike l3. One method that I have employed to secure the elements I! and I8 together is to coat with an adhesive, such as glue, the entire inner or plain face of the element H with the exception of the longitudinal center strip thereof. The width thereof depends upon the cross sectional dimensions of the spike l3.

Thereafter the back of the dress or element I8 is placed in congruity with each other, with the plain or inner surfaces of the elements I! and 18 facing each other and being in contact with the adhesive throughout their entire areas except the longitudinal center strips thereof. These unadhered areas form a passageway adapted to accommodate the spike l3 and with the portions of the elements I! and I8 adapted to press against the spike l3 when mounted thereon to hold the unit IS in position.

Units l9 of different contours, color and design may be interchangeably combined with the figure Ill. The assembly may be made by inserting at the neck line the tip M of the figure I0 into the passageway.

The rigid fiat unit I!) is forced through the passageway until the tip I4 extends beyond the lowermost part of the unit {9. In so doing the spike 13 spreads the unattached portions of elements l1 and I8 apart, but the cross sectional area of the passageway, equal throughout its length, is such with respect to that of the spike that the spike may be readily inserted therein but will frictionally engage the spike l3 to maintain the same in position. I have found that an improved unit i9 may be obtained by having a resilienttubing 2| composed of heavy paper or the like secured in the space forming the passageway. In this construction the passageway is defined by the tubing 2], which may be secured to either element 1 l or l8 or both by means of an adhesive such as glue. At the neck line of the unit I9, there may be provided a reenforcing strip of cloth, paper or light metal which will prevent tearing of the elements I! and I8 when the tip I4 is first inserted in the passageway. In this construction the reenforcement is in the form of a collar secured to the outer faces of elements I! and H3 at their neck lines and to the interior thereof or to the tubing if the tubing is employed.

The elements I! and i8 may be composed of paper, leather, stiff cloth or the like. When the tube 2! is employed it is also feasible to employ light weight, soft materials. The assembled unit consists of a costume l9 having element I! depicting the front thereof and element I8 depicting the back thereof, with the spike l3 being located in the passageway defined by these two elementswhich are secured to eachother.

The face of the head of the figure I0 is on the same side as the element I1 and the back of the head of the figure Ill is on the same side as the element 18. Thus when viewed on one side, the front view of a costumed person is simulated and when viewed on the other side, the back view of a costumed person is simulated. The legs; shoes and hose simulations although not attached together adequately mask the spike I3. The combination is mounted on the base by inserting the tip M in the opening l6 of the base i5.

If it is desired to change the costume, the child or operator removes the base, slides off the unit I 9 by moving the same in the direction of the tip l4 and sliding another costume in the direction of the head and mounting the same on the base. The only precaution to be taken is that the front of the new costume shall be on the same side as the face of the figure 10.

Although I have described my invention in detail, it is to be limited only by the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. A costume comprising a front member and a back member, said front and back members being secured to each other over a large portion of their areas, the inner extremities of said secured portions of said members located inwardly a considerable distance from the outer side edges of said members, a narrow and elongated passageway extending along'the approximate longitudinal centers of said members, adapting the costume to be removably secured by friction to a supporting member.

2. A costumed figure comprising a figure having head and body portions, a costume having front and back members, said members being senite relation with respect to each other, said body portion extending along a major portion' of said passageway.

3. A costumed figure comprising a figure having head and body portions,- a costumehaving a front member and a back member, said members being secured to each other along a material portion of the lengths thereof, and defining an elongated and narrow passageway therebetween, said body portion being located in said passageway and engaged by that portion of said members defining said passageway to maintain said costume in position.

4. A costumed figure comprising a figure having head and body portions, a costume having a front member and a back member, said members being secured to each other and defining a passageway therebetween, a reenforcing means located in said passageway, said reenforcing means having an elongated and narrow opening therein, said body portion being located in said opening and being engaged by said reenforcing means to maintainsaid costume in position.

5. A doll comprising a fiat figure having head and body portions, a clothing simulating means therefor, said means including a front and back member secured to each other along a material portion of the lengths thereof and defining an elongated and narrow passageway, said body portion adapted to be inserted in said passageway, said body portion being located in said passageway and engaged by that portion of said members defining said passageway, and a base connected to said body portion to maintain the costumed figure erect.

6. A doll comprising a fiat figure having head, neck and body portions, and dress simulating means therefor,'said means including front and back members, secured to each other along a material portion of the lengths thereof and defining a passageway therebetween, said body portion being in the form of a spike, said body portion being located in saidpassageway and being engaged by that portion of said means defining said passageway to maintain said means in proper longitudinal position and a demountable base connected to said spike to maintain erect said figure and means.

7. A costume comprising a front member and a back member, said front and back members being secured to each other over a large portion of their areas, the inner extremities of said secured portions of said members located inwardly a considerable distance from the outer side edges of said members, a narrow and elongated passageway extending along the approximate longitudinal centers of said members, adapting the costume to be removably secured by friction a supporting member, the major portions of said front and back members being approximately coextensive.

8. A doll comprising a fiat figure having head, neck and body portions, and dress simulating means therefor, said means including front and back members, secured to each other along a material portion of the lengths thereof and defining a passageway therebetween, the major portion of said front and back members being substantially coextensive, said body portion being in the form of a spike, said body portion being located in said passageway and being engaged by that portion of said means defining said passageway to maintain said means in proper longitudinal position and a demountable base connected to said spike to maintain erect said figure and means.

HELEN B. BRUNDAGE. 

